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Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random at the time of debate. *All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

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Page 1: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Motions Booklet

The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015.

Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random at the time of debate.

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

Page 2: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

2

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

Contents A) Help with Health Costs ............................................... 3

B) Halls Reps ................................................................... 5

C) Women’s Officer in UWESU ........................................ 8

D) Motion for Extra Support for Vulnerable Students .... 11

E) Nightline .................................................................... 14

F) Ethical Lettings and Campaigning for Change ............ 16

G) BME Student Representative Part time Officer ....... 20

H) Officer’s Question Time ............................................ 22

Page 3: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

3

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

A) Help with Health Costs

Proposer: Will Anderson Seconder: Sofi Evans

This Union Notes:

1. There exists a NHS Low income scheme which helps with Prescription costs, dental costs,

eye care costs and healthcare travel costs.

2. The majority of students are eligible for this scheme (average student for full-time

students in 2011/12 was £10,931 and £15,198 for part-time students and the limit for

the support is an income of over £16,000).

3. To take part in this scheme you have to fill out a HC1, HC2 or HC3 form.

4. These forms are several pages in length and require a lot of personal information

including past proof of income.

5. These forms are available on many university campuses.

6. These forms are available in the Advice Centre and Info points.

7. That support to complete these forms exists in many universities to help students to

complete them.

This Union Believes: 1. Income should not be a barrier to healthcare.

2. The Length of these forms and the nature of the evidence that needs to be provided will

cause many students to not complete them or not send them off, meaning that they do

not get the support and that income will be a barrier to healthcare.

3. That as the majority of students receive the support it should be available for all

students at point of contact.

Page 4: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

This Union Resolves:

1. To publish an open letter to lobby the government for Prescription costs, dental costs and eye care costs to be free under the NHS on production of a valid student ID card.

2. To continue to support the availability of the forms and the support for students to fill

them out at UWE 3. To send an amended version of this motion to NUS National Conference 2015.

This Union Mandates: SU President.

References https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/301467/bis-14-723-student-income-expenditure-survey-2011-12.pdf http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/nhs-low-income-scheme.aspx

Page 5: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

5

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

B) Halls Reps

Proposer: Will Anderson Seconder: Amelia Campbell

This Union Notes:

1. As of this academic year UWESU no longer has Hall Reps to feedback on accommodation issues.

2. A large number of students unions have Hall Reps including (but not limited to)

Loughborough , Liverpool , Bath , Aberystwyth , Newcastle , Nottingham and Leeds.

3. These unions have focused on the reps ability to create a community by hosting social events as well as representing the views of students.

4. The Students Union bye laws make explicit reference to a halls rep committee which does not exist this year.

5. Byelaws of the SU outline the governance (how the SU should run) of the Organisation.

6. Byelaw 8 of the SU makes explicit reference to "Halls reps" and an executive committee of the Halls reps.

7. There are SU poster spaces in the accommodation court receptions and poster space in Carroll court which could be used for SU purposes.

8. One of the three strategic aims of UWESU from 2013-2017 is "Building your community".

9. A Constitution can be defined as the system of beliefs and laws by which a country, state, or organization is governed.

10. A Byelaw can be defined as “a rule that an organisation (such as a club or company) makes and that its members must follow".

11. There was a Halls reps proposal written in 2011 based on research done by the SU to ensure the system works, some of the recommendations of which are included in the resolves.

This Union Believes: 1. Students need an accessible point of contact to feedback their issues and queries with

on campus accommodation.

Page 6: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

6

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

2. Hall Reps achieves having an accessible point of contact for students to feedback issues

and queries with on campus accommodation as they will be easily contactable peers

who live in the same accommodation as them.

3. That students are going to likely find it more comfortable and easier to feedback to their

peers.

4. Hall Reps have not had the support or advertising they could have in past years.

5. It is in the interests of the Union to support Hall Reps as it will provide a way to students

to get involved with the Union from day one which will allow the union to promote

further opportunities to get involved in the SU, for example membership of societies,

sports clubs and networks as well as volunteering and the ability to become a module

rep.

6. It is in the interests of the University and the Union to support Hall Reps as it will boost

the employability and leadership skills of the students who become Hall Reps, the

quality and affordability of accommodation could be improved by having students

feedback on how it works and that a sense of community in student accommodation will

be beneficial to the university as it will increase student satisfaction with

accommodation.

7. Not having Hall Reps means UWESU does not comply with Byelaw 8 of the constitution.

8. As well as providing feedback halls reps need to be able to organise events such as

socials, fundraising and friendly inter-halls competitions (and link up with societies,

sports clubs, networks and RAG to achieve this) as this will engage students and provide

a sense of community to on campus accommodation.

Page 7: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

This Union Resolves:

1. To fully commit to re-develop the Hall Reps system for the 2015/2016 academic year and to

prioritise running the system effectively in line with the "Building your Community" and

"Representing your voice" Aims of the Strategic plan.

2. To lobby the University for the funding to run a Hall Reps system effectively.

3. That a working group be formed made up of SU and University staff to redevelop the Hall reps

system with an emphasis on both gathering feedback through forums and on peer led activities

such as socials, events and friendly inter-halls competitions (which follow SU policy and

guidelines) to create a sense of community on campus.

4. To ensure that when the system is redeveloped that it be promoted through all possible

channels, for example through (but not limited to) leaflets in accommodation welcome packs

and the settle in team.

5. That when redeveloping the system it be clear Hall Reps are peers of the students they

represent so that students will find it easier to come to them with feedback or questions.

6. That when the system is redeveloped ensure that Hall Reps are working with Wardens to

feedback on the views of students and raise any issues (for example overdue maintenance).

This Union Mandates: VP Community & Welfare

References

http://www.lsu.co.uk/action/hallreps/ http://www.liverpoolsu.com/represent/hallreps http://www.bathstudent.com/halls/ http://www.abersu.co.uk/representation/hallreps/ http://www.nusu.co.uk/representation/reps/hallreps/ http://www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/halls/ http://www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/yourreps/hallsexec/ http://www.uwesu.org/union/aboutuwesu/constitution/bye-laws/ http://www.uwesu.org/union/aboutuwesu/strategy/

Page 8: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

8

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

C) Women’s Officer in UWESU

Proposer: Molly Collins

Seconder: Eleanor Vowles

This Union Notes:

1. That a Feminist Society is active within UWESU and UWE's Campuses – Bower Ashton and Frenchay.

2. That according to The Complete University Guide 55% of UWE's students are female.

3. That UWE's Feminist Society aims to provide and meet the needs of all female students who attend and yet we feel we have no representative within UWESU, as well as no formal figure responsible for the welfare of female students working in accordance with female students to make sure their needs are met during their time at University.

4. The NUS Women's Campaign was the first of the national liberation campaigns to be set up and yet UWESU's women's officer is the only minority representative within UWESU to be non-existent.

This Union Believes:

1. That reintroducing the role of Women's Officer would greatly enhance the representation of women within UWESU, and therefore throughout University life.

2. That female students suffer from discrimination within the education system and within society.

3. That female students strongly feel the effects of sexism and misogyny even within the

premises of UWE's campuses, and especially within the city centre where concepts such as lad culture perpetuate static and crippling gender boundaries for women, and sexual harassment and assault have become common experiences for so many women at University.

4. Women should not feel scared to attend university, and should not live in fear of catcalling, rape or murder when walking at night or alone.

5. That UWESU has a responsibility, according to its Safer Spaces Policy to “take a zero

tolerance approach to any language or behaviour that leaves students feeling harassed, bullied or discriminated against... This includes behaviour that is: homophobic, racist, sexist, threatening, transphobic, violent.” While promising to promote inclusion within UWESU, by leaving out the role of Women's Officer to represent female student, it ultimately excludes women.

Page 9: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

9

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

6. Despite there being more women at undergraduate level at university, beyond that they are massively under-represented at Masters, PHD and Professorship levels.

7. That this union has a moral duty to combat discrimination towards women on and off of campus.

8. That without a Women's Officer to represent female students, we are at risk of becoming an overlooked demographic with regards to policies/campaigns within UWESU and their Annual General Meeting 2015.

Page 10: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

10

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

This Union Resolves: 1. To elect a Women's Officer onto the union executive who seeks the needs and opinions

of female UWE students.

2. To produce materials and easy-access resources to inform and educate all students about the discrimination and sexism aimed at women, and felt by female students.

3. To campaign and organise alongside UWESU societies which represent minority groups against discrimination.

4. Make sure women in further unrepresented roles within UWE are given the specific attention, representation and focus they request.

That only self-defining women may stand for the post of Women's Officer.

This Union Mandates:

VP Community & Welfare

Page 11: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

11

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

D) Motion for Extra Support for Vulnerable Students

Proposer: NAME REMOVED

Seconder: Will Anderson

This Union Notes:

1. The NSPCC found that 7% of children suffered serious physical abuse, 6% serious neglect. 6% emotional abuse. 11% sexual abuse from an unrelated but known person; 4% sexual abuse within the family. (http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/safeguarding-children-how-to-recognise-abuse-or-a-child-at-risk)

2. Studies have shown that up to 90% of abuse is unreported, meaning they often remain

with their abusers (http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1863650,00.html).

3. Financial and practical reasons, as well as emotional and other reasons prevent people

leaving (http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/why_domestic_abuse_victims_stay.html). 4. People who have experienced emotional abuse or neglect are more likely to have issues

with confidence in their future, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, anger, PTSD and risk taking (http://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/advice-and-info/core-info-neglect-emotional-abuse-teenagers-13-18.pdf).

5. The impacts of abuse do not go away in adulthood and can affect functioning (Battered

children grown up: A follow-up study of individuals severely maltreated as children, Judith A. Martin, Child Abuse & Neglect Volume 16, Issue 1, 1992, Pages 75–87).

6. The Union has already pledged to lobby the university to increase funding to prevent

money being a barrier to education.

This Union Believes:

1. It is the moral responsibility of the university to ensure the students paying to study there are able to do so to the best of their ability, which is not the case if they are unsupported when dealing with past or current abuse.

2. University is the first chance for many people to leave home and potentially escape,

therefore support at this time is crucial. 3. It can be difficult to leave an abusive home and financial worries can add to this. 4. The university itself should be able to support those who have had to leave home with

their financial issues, rather than just with their emotional wellbeing.

Page 12: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

12

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

5. Abuse and its impacts should never be ignored or downplayed. 6. There are charities to support those who have been abused as children but they are not

very well known. 7. Traditional support for suffers of domestic violence can focus on partner abuse and

sexual abuse, while other forms of abuse are just as harmful, and abuse from the family means there is often no safe place to return to, there needs to be support for all types.

8. There exists a student support fund, but if you are forced to find a home with little to no

warning, waiting times can be an issue, there should be financial support which can be provided to the most vulnerable students straight away.

9. That the University should provide financial support for students when they are in times

of hardship. 10. That the Union has a responsibility to hold the University to account.

Page 13: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

13

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

This Union Resolves:

1. To lobby the university to introduce additional funding for those who are forced to leave home due to violence or abuse and have nowhere else to go.

2. To lobby UWE to liaise with support services used by students (with their permission)

leaving their home due to abuse to ensure that financial support is provided as soon as possible for example the wellbeing service.

3. To support students that are victims of abuse to set up a PO Box or similar system to

protect their address. 4. To raise awareness of what domestic abuse is and where to go for help and support,

including help with accommodation and awareness of charities such as NACAP.

This Union Mandates:

VP Community & Welfare

Page 14: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

14

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

E) Nightline

Proposer: Sian Hampson

Seconder: Will Anderson

This Union Notes:

1. There is currently no out of hours services provided by UWE or UWESU for students

wanting advice, or emotional support.

2. There are a series of Nightline services run by Students' Unions across the UK, which

provide confidential advice and support for students by students, whilst also providing

taxi numbers, bus timetables, sexual health support and advice on a range of other

topics, through various means, i.e. phone call, instant message and email.

3. There is a national organisation to assist with the running of these services (Nightline

Association) that provides training, good practice guidelines, publicity and more.

4. 2013 research from Nightline shows us that 75% of UK students had experienced

psychological distress whilst at university with 1/3 explicitly recalling it occurring at night

– a time when university welfare services are usually closed, but when Nightline would

be open.

5. The research also found that students are more likely to access support from their family

or peers (e.g. another student) than from university provided support such as

counsellors and APTs.

6. Nightline is a student led service.

This Union Believes:

1. That the University should deliver support for students when Wellbeing practitioners are

out of hours.

2. The University should provide the funding for the Students' Union to run a nightline

service.

3. That a Nightline service will help enhance support for students and prevent students

from dropping out, thereby saving the university money and justifying the funding of the

service.

Page 15: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

15

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

This Union Resolves:

1. To create a Nightline service for students run by the Students Union. 2. To lobby the University for the funding, facilities and resources to run a Nightline

service, and for this service to be student led and run. 3. To affiliate the service with the National Nightline Association to aid in the running of

the provision. 4. That once the service is in place to regularly collect student feedback on the service to

ensure it is the best it can be.

5. That volunteers are to be trained by the advice centre, wellbeing services and other appropriate services to ensure they are trained to perform their role to the highest possible standard.

6. To lobby the university to provide the nightline number on university identity cards.

7. That once the service is in place to advertise volunteering for the service through (but not limited to) the SU volunteering website and the SU Jobshop and any other advertising means.

8. That space for the service be provided within the new SU building.

9. For the above resolves to be completed as soon as feasibly possible.

This Union Mandates:

VP Community & Welfare

Page 16: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

16

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

F) Ethical Lettings and Campaigning for Change

Proposer: Amelia Campbell

Seconder: Will Anderson

This Union Notes:

1. There is a large and comprehensive piece of NUS research on housing called "Homes fit

for Study" which recommends the banning of Letting Fees. 1

2. UWESU has a lettings agency which lists homes available for UWE students to rent2

3. UWE has an accommodation site where private rented homes are listed3

4. Bristol " is the most expensive place to live in the country outside of London and the

South East" 4

5. ACORN is a grassroots community organising group of which there is a branch in Bristol

which runs workshops on tenants rights, hold landlords to account in Bristol,

campaigning for better housing for renters and have been campaigning for lettings

agencies to sign up to an ethical lettings charter5

6. There is an ACORN society at UWESU

7. Shelter have agreed to back this campaign

8. As detailed in NUS research "Homes Fit For Study" there are many issues with student

accommodations including (but not limited to):

A. lack of working smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detector,

B. issues with housing such as damp, condensation or mould

C. poor insulation

D. delays in repairs and getting in touch with their landlord

E. Landlords entering homes illegally

9. There is existing UWESU policy titled " ‘Rate Your Landlord’, toolkits and life in

accommodation" which resolves the union to " To work in partnership with the local

authorities, the Bristol Mayor’s Office and the university to implement a cap on

‘administration/agency fees’."

1 http://www.nus.org.uk/Global/Homes%20Fit%20For%20Study/Housing%20research%20report_web.pdf

2 http://uwesu.sites.letmc.com/

3 http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/accommodation

4 http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Feeling-pinch-Cost-living-Bristol-UK-s-highest/story-21214437-detail/story.html

5 http://www.acorncommunities.org.uk/about

Page 17: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

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*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

10. One fifth of students now work over 20 hours a week to cover the cost of living.

11. The Students Union has signed up to several "ethical" initiatives for example fair-trade in

the shop.

This Union Believes:

1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of

themselves including housing and shelter.

2. UWESU should be using this comprehensive research to inform its stance on student

housing.

3. UWESU lettings should be a model for how other lettings agencies should run.

4. UWESU should be campaigning locally and nationally for better student housing.

5. That ‘administration/agency fees’ are often extortionate (as passed in " ‘Rate Your

Landlord’, toolkits and life in accommodation").

Page 18: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

18

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

This Union Resolves:

1. To endorse the Ethical Lettings Charter of which the main points are:

a. All deposits protected as per the law

b. An end to the unethical practice of ‘double-dipping’ or charging both sides of a

transaction. In practice, an end to letting agency fees charged to tenants (Fees to be

charged to landlords instead).

c. Pledge to control when and how much rent rises (linked to fixed term tenancies).

d. Reasonable deposits (no more than a month’s rent).

e. Repairs done quickly and properly.

f. Regular safety checks on appliances and utilities.

g. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

h. Minimum Energy Performance Certificate rating of E.

i. An end to discrimination toward tenants in receipt of state benefits.

j. An end to revenge evictions (Landlords will commit not to serve any Section 21

notice within 2 months of a tenant making a complaint or requesting repairs).

k. An end to rolling contracts (recurring fixed term tenancies).

l. All landlords to apply for a license where applicable.

m. Option of 3-5 years tenancy agreements where possible, but 1 year tenancies as a

minimum (including a break clause) .

n. Reasonable notice periods for repossessions beyond the legal minimum of 2 months

(linked to length of occupancy).

2. For UWESU lettings to implement this charter.

3. To campaign and lobby for all Bristol lettings agencies and landlords to adopt the above

charter.

4. To work with the NUS and local groups such as ACORN Bristol and University of Bristol

Students Union (UBU) to achieve this.

5. To Engage with the ACORN society and any other students who may be interested in

housing issues when carrying out these resolves.

6. To work with UBU write a joint letter to the council affirming our position on this and to

lobby for the letter to be published in local news.

7. To lobby the University to publically endorse the charter and write a statement affirming

their position.

This Union Mandates:

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Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

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*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

VP Community & Welfare

Page 20: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

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*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

G) BME Student Representative Part time Officer

Proposer: Kevin Wilson

Seconder: Will Anderson

The Union Notes:

1. There isn’t a BME students’ officer currently on the Union Executive.

2. Other Students’ Union in the UK has a full time or a part time BME students’ officer.

3. We have a core value of inclusivity and a strategic aim of representing the voice of all

students at the university.

4. That NUS has active policy to support students unions in improving BME students

representation.

5. There are different BME Groups at UWE, with a BME officer this may bring about a

greater cohesion and unity amongst the various groups.

This Union Believes:

1. That having a BME students’ officer would greatly enhance the equality and diversity

agenda of the university and the Students’ Union.

2. Having a BME officer would be a platform for a currently under represented segment of

the student body to have a voice.

3. Greater involvement and engagement in student life, this will increase participation in

activities such as Black History Month.

4. That a BME students’ campaign network would be more active and a stronger

campaigning with the support of a part time BME students’ officer.

Page 21: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

21

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

This Union Resolves:

1. To elect a BME officer onto the union executive.

2. Create better links between the BME networks that already exist at UWE and support it

to be more active.

3. To amend the by-laws as appropriate.

This Union Mandates: TBC.

Page 22: Motions Booklet - The Students' Union...Motions Booklet The motions to be debated at Student Council, February 2015. Each motion is assigned a letter. They will be drawn at random

Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

22

*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

H) Officer’s Question Time

Proposer: Jamie Jordon Seconder: Sian Hampson

This Union Notes: 1. That there is currently time set aside at each Annual General Meeting of the Union and

at each Student Council to receive a report from the Sabbatical Officers.

2. That during these meetings, there is an opportunity to question these Officers on the contents of their reports and their activities within their roles.

3. That the primary purpose of the AGM and Student Council is to create policy of the Union.

4. That Sabbatical Officers of previous years held a regular slot on Hub Radio in which they were questioned in a public forum.

This Union Believes: 1. That the time set aside during AGM and Student Council is not a wide enough window

to sufficiently hold Sabbatical Officers to account in the fulfilment of their roles.

2. That time in the AGM and Student Council would be better spent on creating and debating policy, rather than on reports being given.

3. That during the AGM, reports are often given after debate to non-quorate rooms. 4. That due to the lack of time given for Sabbatical Officers to be publicly held to account

there is a democratic deficit within the Union.

5. That the Union would benefit from more regular forums in which Sabbatical Officers of the Union can be questioned.

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Student Council February 2015 Motions Booklet

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*All Motions with financial implications will be referred to the UWESU Board of Trustees as

per clause 40.3 in the Articles of Association.*

This Union Resolves: 1. To create an 'Officers' Question Time' in which elected Sabbatical Officers are required

to provide reports of their activities for scrutiny by the student body.

2. That this event is held no fewer than once a term. 3. That the Union publicise these events by every reasonable means to encourage

student involvement.

4. That this forum is implemented by at least next academic year.

This Union Mandates: VP Societies & Communication